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Problem 4 - Physics Cup 2019: 1 Potential Difference Formula

The document presents a detailed calculation of the potential difference UCD between points C and D in a grid setup with defined currents and resistances. It derives expressions for the potentials at points C and D using Ohm's law and symmetry principles, ultimately leading to the potential difference formula. Additionally, it discusses the impact of an additional current I' on the potential at point B when points C and D are short-circuited.

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6 views1 page

Problem 4 - Physics Cup 2019: 1 Potential Difference Formula

The document presents a detailed calculation of the potential difference UCD between points C and D in a grid setup with defined currents and resistances. It derives expressions for the potentials at points C and D using Ohm's law and symmetry principles, ultimately leading to the potential difference formula. Additionally, it discusses the impact of an additional current I' on the potential at point B when points C and D are short-circuited.

Uploaded by

yashvardhanverma236
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Problem 4 - Physics Cup 2019

Felix Bekir Chrisensen

1 Potential Difference Formula


Define the points on the grid A = (0, 0), B = (1, 1), C = (n, n), D = (n + 1, n + 1) where n > 1. Now let a current I
flow from A to B. This current leads to a potential difference UCD ≡ UC − UD between C and D. Let us calculate this
potential difference: The current from A to B can be represented as a superposition of a current I from A to infinity and a
current −I from B to infinity. Let the potential at A be equal to 0. If there is a current I into A and a current −I into C,
the potential at C is by Ohm’s law UC = IRnn . By translational symmetry of the set up, both currents contribute equally
to this, so a single current I into A leads to UC = I2 Rnn . The resistance between A and B is R11 and that between B and
C is Rn−1n−1 so by similar reasoning a current −I into B leads to UB = −UAB = I2 R11 and UCB = − I2 Rn−1n−1 implying
UC = UB + UCB = I2 (R11 − Rn−1n−1 ). Combining these results gives for the current distribution described above:
I
UC = (Rnn − Rn−1n−1 + R11 )
2 ( n )
√
I Rr ∑ 1 ∑ 1
n−1
= − +1
π 1
2k − 1 1
2k − 1
√ ( )
I Rr 1
= +1
π 2n − 1
√ ( )
I Rr 2n
= (1)
π 2n − 1
Where the equation for Rnn given in the problem text was used. The potential at D is then obtained by making the
replacement n → n + 1 in 1: √ ( )
I Rr 2n + 2
UD = (2)
π 2n + 1
This gives the potential difference between C and D as:
√ ( )
I Rr 2
UCD = (3)
π 4n2 − 1

2 Calculating the Result


Consider the current distribution described above with an additional current I ′ flowing into C √and −I ′ into D. Here I ′ is
the current through the wire flowing from D to C. The resistance between C and D is R11 = 2 πRr . Now let us determine
I ′ : If the points C and D are short-circuited, they are at the same potential. That means the potential differences due to
I and I ′ cancel:
√ ( ) √
I πRr 4n22−1 − I ′ 2 πRr = 0
⇐⇒ I′ = I
4n2 −1 (4)
Now, the contribution to the potential UB due to I ′ gives the change in the potential at B that occurs when C and D are
short-circuited while maintaining a constant current I. So
′
UB = (R11 − R′ 11)I (5)
Fortunately, UB can be found using equation 3. This is because the change A, B, C, D → D, C, B, A corresponds to a
rotation of the grid that leaves it unchanged. Furthermore, we need to make the replacement I → −I ′ , where the negative
sign is used because I ′ flows into C rather than D. So combining 3 and 4 with these changes gives:
( √ )
2 Rr
UB = − I (6)
π(4n2 − 1)2
This can be compared with 5 to give the final result:
√
′
R11 − R11 = − π(4n
2 Rr
2 −1)2

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